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207 <br /> <br /> Ms. Linda Seaman, Chair of the School Board, stated that <br />the proposed School Board budget contains a 3% salary increase <br />for teachers, fully funds the reading initiatives and <br />maintains the current student/teacher ratio. <br /> <br /> Mr. Herb Cottrill, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, <br />stated that the budget contains funding for 8.7 additional <br />teachers, reduces special education tuition, and uses <br />one-time carry-over grants administration funds for certain <br />operating costs. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Mr. Cottrill <br />stated that a total of $460,000 will be used out of the grants <br />administration fund. <br /> <br /> COuncilors expressed concern that the School Board budget <br />does not show revenues for federal grants and that one-time <br />funds are proposed to be used for operating expenses. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Hendrix, Mr. Cottrill <br />stated that $593,000 in new funds are anticipated to be <br />received from the state, with an additional $36,000 to $80,000 <br />not reflected in the budget. Mr. Cottrill cautioned that the <br />new funds not in the budget may need to be used to reduce the <br />teacher/student ratio. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter expressed concern that the schools have not <br />looked at downsizing or attempted to do things differently and <br />stated that she did not think that questions addressed to the <br />School Board from Council have been adequately addressed. <br /> <br /> The salary schedule for teachers which had been developed <br />a few years previous was discussed and Ms. Seaman stated that <br />the School Board was not even close to fulfilling the plan. <br />Ms. Daugherty requested a copy of the salary increase plan. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Mr. Cottrill <br />stated that the balance in the health insurance fund will be <br />used to offset future increases. <br /> <br /> Responding to a questiOn from Ms. Slaughter, Dr. Joseph <br />McGeehan, Superintendent of Schools, stated that instructional <br />coordinators work with teachers, assist in implementing <br />curricula, and develop programs in the schools. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked whether the School Board has thought <br />about possibilities for finding money for the proposed <br />alternative school within their budget to bring to the table <br />for discussion and Ms. Seaman stated that she would ask the <br />staff to make recommendations that would not impact <br />educational programs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Rauzelle Smith, School Board member, stated that he <br />feels it will be very difficult to find money in the budget <br />for the alternative school, noting that the schools have <br />streamlined and the only alternative would be to cut programs. <br />Mr. Smith added that he felt the School Board has responded to <br />questions previously asked by Council. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano questioned whether grants administration <br />funds could be used for one-time set-up costs for the <br />alternative school and Mr. Cottrill stated that the $400,000 <br />in the textbook account will all be spent next year and no <br />additional funds will be available. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter suggested that the School Board provide an <br />executive summary of their budget which could be distributed <br />to parents and which would be more easily understoOd than the <br />existing document. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards asked whether any evaluation of programs had <br />occurred this year and Mr. Robert Bloodgood, School Board <br />member, stated that the reading initiative program has proven to <br /> <br /> <br />